Bashar regains form in practice match

Colombo:Former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar regained form ahead of next week's Test series against Sri Lanka with an unbeaten half-century in a practice match here.

Bashar, who lost his captaincy after making just 46 in four Test innings against India at home last month, scored 60 not out to help his team reach 183-5 at stumps on the opening day of a three-day match against Sri Lanka 'A'.

Bangladesh were struggling at 73-3 after electing to bat, but Bashar steadied the innings with a 75-run stand for the fourth wicket with new captain Mohammad Ashraful (37).

Opener Javed Omar (34) and Rajin Saleh (21) were the other main scorers.

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who has played 12 Tests for Sri Lanka, was the most impressive bowler with 3-51 off 20 overs.

Bangladesh will play three Tests and as many one-day internationals on their current tour of Sri Lanka. The first Test begins here on June 25.